Whether it’s a heart, lung, kidney or liver, many people assume that transplantation is a last resort in treating a failing organ.

But in the case of kidney disease, transplantation is actually the first line of treatment for patients who are candidates to receive a new kidney.

Dialysis vs. kidney transplant

Dialysis artificially does what healthy kidneys do. It pumps blood out of your body, cleans it and returns it to your body. Treatments are usually for three or four hours, three times a week.

“Transplantation is the way to go, and the sooner the better,” says nephrologist Robert Heyka, MD, Chair of Nephrology in the Department of Hypertension and Nephrology. “But the reality is most people will still need to be on dialysis.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10 percent of American adults – about 20 million people — have chronic kidney disease. Dr. Poggio says 600,000 are on dialysis and 100,000 are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. Yet only 16,000 transplants are done each year.

What you need to know
Experts say you should know these four facts:

1. Dialysis has both positives and negatives. Some of Dr. Heyka’s patients put off going on dialysis, but when they try it, they may find themselves pleasantly surprised.

“People often say that they didn’t realize how bad they’d been feeling until they got treatment,” he says. “Within the first few months, their appetite is back, they’re gaining weight and they have more energy.”

But the time commitment of dialysis treatments can limit a person’s independence and quality of life.

2. Benefits of transplant outweigh the side effects. “There’s plenty of data that, despite the negatives of transplantation, the short-term and long-term outcomes are much better than those on dialysis,” says Dr. Poggio. “Their quality of life improves, they live better and longer.”

In fact, a landmark 1999 study compared the health outcomes of patients on dialysis waiting for a transplant to those who had already received a new kidney. The study found the long-term mortality rate of transplant recipients was 48 to 82 percent lower than for those on dialysis.

About 30 percent of kidney transplant in the US come from living donors. Those transplants have greater success than transplants from cadavers.

3. Not everyone can receive a transplant. Dr. Poggio considers many factors in deciding who is a candidate for a new kidney, including other medical conditions like diabetes and heart failure. But there are ways you can improve your candidacy.

“Stay healthy and active,” he says. “Manage your conditions that might complicate a transplant — like smoking — and remain compliant with your medical therapies.”

4. Choose your care wisely. Living well on dialysis depends on choosing the right location for your care. Social workers should provide support. Good communication among your healthcare providers is a key factor. And a positive atmosphere with social interaction among patients is also important.

“Don’t be afraid to ask, ‘How often will I see my doctor? What are your rates for hospitalization? Will I see a nurse practitioner?’” says Dr. Heyka. “If you are in the right unit, you’ll get lots of support.”

If you have kidney disease and currently on dialysis, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about a kidney transplant. Depending upon your individual situation, it could offer many benefits.

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